FAQ

What makes your pediatric clinic different from other pediatric clinics?

We live in a busy world these days! Everyone seems to be rushing around, especially doctors. With busy clinics, doctors have more pressure on them and less time to spend with patients. Patients and parents don't like that. Doctors don't like it either. You won't find that in my clinic. My relationship with my patients is my #1 priority. I keep my practice small, so I can give my patients the time they need. I have time to answer questions, explain, teach, learn, and have fun. I personalize each patient's care, because I have time to get to know them and their medical history.

What insurance do you take?

If you don't see your insurance on this list, check with me. I may still take it. I also offer direct pediatric care (DPC) memberships. DPC is based on the idea of enough time between the doctor and patient to forge relationships, which results in care that is more personal, less expensive, and less invasive. DPC memberships cost less than $1 per child per day.

Do you take Medicare or OHP?

I have opted out of Medicare, but I do take OHP through PacificSource Community Solutions.

What is the difference between DPC and concierge medicine?

The term "concierge medicine" generally is used to describe practices that charge a monthly fee for access to doctor or the practice, but these practices also bill your insurance and charge you a co-pay. Direct primary care (DPC) clinics charge one monthly fee that covers all of your healthcare and generally leaves insurance out (except for things like medications).

Lab tests, x-rays and other imaging studies, emergency room visits, inpatient hospital stays, and specialist care can still be paid for by your insurance.

What are your hours?

I don't have regular clinic hours like a traditional medical practice. When your child needs an appointment, we will figure out a time to be seen based on the individual situation. That time may be on Tuesday morning, Friday evening, or Sunday afternoon.

Is your clinic LGBTQ friendly?

Absolutely. I welcome families of all kinds in my practice, and I am an advocate for those marginalized because of sexual orientation or gender variation. I have done additional training in the care of gay, lesbian, gender expansive, and other sexual minority children and adolescents. I am also a member of GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBT Equality.

I see that you are a lactation consultant. Do you take care of babies that are not breastfeeding?

The decision of how to feed an infant is a personal one and is often based on many different factors, including mother's health history, mother's previous experience with breastfeeding, infant's health history and anatomy, milk supply, mother's return to work plans, and personal preference among others. For parents who do choose to breastfeed, there are often impediments that make it difficult to establish and maintain breastfeeding. My goal is support all families in meeting their infant feeding goals, whether they want to breastfeed for 2 years, 2 months, or not at all.

​What is your policy regarding vaccinations?

Vaccines are one of the greatest public health achievements. Like the vast majority of doctors, I strongly encourage full immunization of all my patients according to the recommended schedule. These days, there is a lot of information about vaccines available in books and on the internet, and it can be very difficult to figure out what information to follow. It doesn't help that most doctors don't have much time to answer questions and address concerns. With longer appointments, we will have time to review all recommendations and answer any questions you may have. It is my responsibility as a pediatrician to address all recommended screenings and immunizations at every visit. If you do not plan to vaccinate your child but are open to talking about it, give me a call.

Do you offer virtual visits?

Yes! I have partnered with a platform called Spruce Health to provide HIPAA compliant messaging, texting, and video chats. You can send questions and pictures through Spruce or even request a virtual office visit. Spruce works through an app on your smart phone. Patients and parents can sign up here: https://spruce.care/031231.

Do you do house calls?

Newborn follow-ups are always available as a house call visit to allow families to stay at home with their new baby. ​House calls are available within 10 miles of the clinic on a limited basis for patients with limited mobility (i.e., technology dependent, parent with limited mobility, etc).Contact me for more information.

​Do you do sports physicals?

Evaluation for clearance for sports is part of all of my well-child visits. Any of my established patients who have had a well child visit within the previous nine months can most likely get their sports form completed without an additional visit, depending on the child's medical history and the sport.

I do not offer sports physicals without annual well child visits. Performing annual visits solely for the purpose of clearing a child for sports participation provides inadequate medical care. Children miss out on important developmental and educational evaluations, age-appropriate screenings, and update of immunizations. Adolescents miss out on screening for important health and social risk factors. Parents, however, often do not realize that their child has gotten an incomplete evaluation and think their child does not need to see a doctor again. This does not help the parent or the child.

This sounds great! How do I sign up?

Click here. Call or email with questions. I will contact you to complete enrollment and schedule your first appointment.

"Dr Beard was our pediatrician for our quadruplets from the time they were born 10 weeks premature to the time they were 3 and we had to move. We wished we could have taken her with us. She knew our kids and our family. She was personable and knowledgeable. She was such a huge help to us. She was always ready to squeeze us all in at the same time for appointments and call us if we had questions. The kids felt comfortable with her and never minded going to the doctor. She is also a mom herself to two so she knows kids and connects well with the parents. I would highly recommend Dr. Erika Beard-Irvine." - M.K., mom of 8 year old quadruplets and a 3 year old.